Improving the Local Economy One Business at a Time

Weat The Woman Today magazine have long recognized that the heart of the economic climate is vitally linked to the success of locally owned businesses. In this issue and going forward, we want to continue to focus on area businesses who are hiring new employees, adding to their buildings, moving to a different location, bringing in new products, or otherwise enhancing the business climate in the area.

Avinity Living with Spirit

mantown and Proctor.

Laura Lokken, founder and registered nurse, opened Golden Oaks to meet the needs of her own mother. Laura’s vision was to provide a personalized, home-like environment for seniors with higher level care needs. Lokken has joined the Avinity leadership team as director of nursing and quality care, and the Golden Oaks employees will become members of the Avinity family.

Avinity, a nonprofit, faith-based organization with a mission to create communities for older adults that nurture body, soul, and spirit has entered the Duluth market with its purchase of Golden Oaks Advanced Assisted Living in Her-

Northern Waters

New Mount Royal Eatery

Northern Waters Smokehaus, in the Dewitt Seitz Building, has long been a Northland favorite for smoked fish and meats. Area diners are excited about a new neighborhood hotspot (from the same owner Eric Goerdt) to check out in Woodland’s Mount Royal Shopping Center. Northern Waters has a varied and eclectic menu and offers wine and beer to go along with their signature choices.

General Manager Greg Conley says, “We have had a great opening! We already have regulars who stop by a few times a week. Some favorites on the menu so far include our pork shoulder tacos, the Iowa pork tenderloin sandwich, and fish dishes such as the Lake Trout Vera Cruz. We feature locally sourced foods with our classical preparation.” Conley also notes that the restaurant is the first in Duluth where the waitstaff does not accept tips. D

Dale Fagre, Avinity CEO, welcomed Golden Oaks to Avinity saying, “Laura and her team have established Golden Oaks as a premier provider for advanced assisted living services. We look forward to continuing to provide exceptional care to the residents while perpetuating the strong legacy and vision on which Golden Oaks was built.” D

For more information, go to avinityseniorliving.org

For more information call (218)249-1957.

Members of the Duluth Aviation Institute were looking for ways to fund the Path to Aviation program for 900 area 6th graders. “We decided to open the Lark Café and have the profits go to the school aviation science program,” says Sandra Ettestad, one of three owners, along with her husband Mark Marino, and Don Monaco.

Their downtown corner location, in the historic arts and theater district, is perfect for people out shopping, going to the movies or theater across the street at Zeitgeist or eventually the Norshor, and for people coming from the Lakewalk.

They offer fresh deli fare, soups, ice cream, smoothies, specialty coffee drinks, beer, and wine. The café features a beautiful mural of the historic Lark of Duluth biplane.

The Lark Café is located in the Greysolon Plaza at 231 East Superior Street. D

For more information, visit their website at larkcafeduluth.com

Mainstream Boutique

Kris Anvid relates how her world came crashing down a few months ago when a pickup truck came plowing through the front of her Mainstream Boutique in Cloquet. Not only did the accident wreck the front window, door, and flooring of the shop, but also, because of the glass that shattered everywhere, all of the inventory that was on the floor had to be thrown out.

It has been a difficult road back to get the storefront repaired and all the inventory of unique women’s fashion apparel, accessories, and jewelry replaced.

Owner Kristin Anvid says, “We had our grand reopening on February 26. We are excited about all our new inventory of spring fashions. We work to stay ahead of the fashion trends, and this year’s spring clothes are spectacular.”

For more information, call (218)879-5544 or visit their website at cloquet.mainstreamboutique.com

2015 Veterans Remembrance Dinner — Dec. 3, 2015

The St. Louis County Historical Society and its Veterans’ Memorial Hall program held their 11th annual Veterans’ Remembrance Dinner on Thursday, December 3. The theme of this year’s event was the “Year of the Servicewoman: A Salute to Women in the Military.” The evening included the presentation of the Mike Colalillo Medal of Honor Scholarship and keynote speaker, former Chief Master Sergeant Jodi

East Hall of Fame — Oct. 3, 2015

The Duluth East Hall of Fame Fifth Annual Induction Dinner and Ceremony was held on October 3 in the East High School Mezzanine. The 2015 inductees are: Dukes Knutson, Kristi Duncan Plante, Glenn Rolle, Judy Smith, and Phil Verchota. Sponsored by the Duluth East Foundation, proceeds from the event go toward the Foundation’s work for the school.

WITC Wishing Tree — Feb. 12, 2016

The Wishing Tree is a community art participation project. Thirteen welding students from WITC-Superior were asked to create a 7’ sculptural metal tree. The Superior Business Improvement District, Wisconsin Arts Board, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the welding students unveiled their public sculpture in a ceremony on Friday, February 12th in the vacant lot next to Sclavi’s Restaurant.